Beneath the surface: DNA barcoding of shark fins in Singapore.
R Soc Open Sci
; 11(9): 240532, 2024 Sep.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39233723
ABSTRACT
The global decline of shark populations, largely driven by overfishing to supply the shark fin trade, poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems. Southeast Asia, and particularly Singapore, is a key hub for the transit and trade of shark fins that contribute to the exploitation of these apex predators. Through the use of DNA barcoding techniques, this study aimed to determine what species of shark are involved in the Singapore shark fin trade. Fins were collected from markets, dried goods shops and traditional Chinese medicine halls throughout Singapore. In total, DNA was extracted from 684 fins collected in January 2024 and PCR amplification targeted a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene for species identification. Results revealed fins from 24 species across 16 genera, with 19 species listed on CITES Appendices II, and 16 listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List (critically endangered = 2, endangered = 4, vulnerable = 10). The top five most frequently identified species were Carcharhinus falciformis, Galeorhinus galeus, Rhizoprionodon oligolinx, Sphyrna lewini and Rhizoprionodon acutus. Of these, four are listed on CITES Appendix II and four are listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
R Soc Open Sci
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Singapur
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido